Apparatus for milling wheat



Oct. 6, 1931.v P. TURucz- 1,826,157

APPARATUS FOR MILLING WHEAT Filed May s1, 1930.

INVENTOR.

dpa@ Zjuzcz A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 6, 1931 PATENT FFICE PAUL TUEUCZ, OF CHCAG, LLINGIS APPARATUS FOR Application led May 31,

This invention relates to an improved Iprocess of milling, and is particularlyv related to a` process and apparatus for milling wheat, or other grain, in the production of flour.

Heretofore flour was made or manufactured by what is generally known as the gradual reduction process, which process contemplates the use ot' suitable break-rolls which act on the Awheat berry in a manner to c: use a separation of the grain hulls from the flour-containing portions, cause a loosenlng and shattering of the bran, and also a grinding of the middlings to produce the 5 fiour. Not only does this process necessitate a series of reductions on smooth rolls entailing complications and expense t produce a tinished flour, but also this break method is, in effect, an indirect process ot securing a iinished flour through the medium of middlings.

rThe great expense and care required in carrying out the above process practically prohibits its use by small mill owners who are therefore, compelled to use what is known as low milling where the grain is subjected to a grinding action between stones or rolls, under great pressure, said rolls being rotated at different rates of speed, and the resulting Se `Hour is not only of an inferior quality, but

there is also an appreciable loss ot bran.

Still another method, and which is gcnerally known as a high milling process for producing flour, requires a comparatively large number of break-rolls because of the fact that the flour-containing cells cannot be crushed at once, therefore necessitating a series of course grinding with intervening' cleaning operations, whereby the hulls are treed from the flour-containing cells, which must later be ground to the desired degree of ineness.

It is the main object of this invention to overcome the defects present in the methods heretofore used by providing a device adapted for cooperation with the break-rolls whereby the grain berries will be acted upon by the break-rolls and their associated means over a longer period of time, and over a considerably increased surface whereby, instead MILLNG 'WEEAT Serial Ne. 458,114.'

of the grain berries being subjected to the breaking-up action only at the point ot' contact between the break-rolls, they will be subjected to a breaking up action over a substantial portion of the surface of the break-rolls, resulting in a larger volume of inished flour.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device adapted for cooperation with the usuall break-rolls "for increasing the working surface for breaking up the fioul*- containing cells resulting in an increased volume ot bran anda higher quality of iinished flour, as well as reducing the power consumption for the break-rolls.

A further object of this invention is t0 provide, in an apparatus of the character described, an improved device adapted for cooperation with the break-rolls for increasing the surface of the break-rolls which will act upon the grain berries, said device being adapted for attachment to the breakrolls without altering or modifying the construction ot the break-rolls, and without necessitating a stopping in the operation of the mill.

A i'urther object of this invention is t0 provide an improved apparatus for milling wheat or the like, which eliminates the necessity for high pressure between the break-rolls, thereby obviating the danger of the rolls becoming heated, resulting in a considerable saving of power consumption as well as the production of a higher quality of Hour and a greater yield of bran.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a novel and improved attachment adapted for use with the usual breakrolls, said attachment being disposed adjacent to and in position to cooperate with a'90 substantial portion of the circumference of said break-rolls for considerably increasing the working surface of the break-rolls thereby permitting the operation of said rolls without the necessity of high pressure between the rollers.

A still further object of this invention isr the provision of an attachment adapted for use with the break-rolls for increasing the working surface of the same whereby a large number of the relatively cxpens' breakrolls may be eliminated, resulting also in a considerable saving in space required the operation of the milling apparatus.

lilith the foregoing and other objects in vic-w, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certnovel and improved features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingl drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, size and minor details of the construction may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Stated generally, the invention comprises the provision of a pair of segments which i re adaptedfor disposition adjacent to a portion of the circumference of the break-rolls, said segments being spaced from the break-rolls a predetermined distance and provided with suitably shaped working*surfaces which cooperate -ith the break-rolls for'bi'eaking up and grinding the wheat particles. rllhe working surfaces of said segments are provided with openings suitably arranged and adapted to permit the passage therethrough of ,the product.

In the embodiment illustrated, the segments are supported adjacent the brea -rolls by adjustable means whereby the same may be adjusted to vary the c eaiance between either segment and the corresponding breakroll, and also for faci'litating` in the installation or attachment of the segments to the :ippaiatus. The segments are also mounted in such a manner to be held in, their adjusted position vby means of suitable spiangs` where-- lbv the saine mav give in case of an overloading, to avoid breakage or destruction of the same.

Stated generally, the operi-tion may be described as 'follows The crush ed wheat berries of the iirst roll will drop from the roll orto the se ments and will be carried along` by the cutting edges of the break-roll onto the working surface of the segments, producing a crushing and lgrinding of the product. During this crushing process the iniddlings will be freed from the bran and will. pass through the openings provided in the segments to a suitable hopper or container .provided for receiving the same. Since the bran is coinposed ol considerably tougher hulls it will be forced out by the spirals of the hrea -roll Aon line 2-2 of Figure l with the rolls in place;

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 3--53 of Figure l; and

Figure Ll is a topplan view of the working surface of cre of the segments.

yI-leferring to the drawings more specifically by characters of reference, the numerals l and 2 designate Agenerally the'break-rolls which are of the usual and wellknown construction7 and which are provided on their outer surfaces with spiral corrugations (not shown) .for breaking or crushing the wheat berry, and also for shattering and loosening the bran. rllhese break-rollnare mounted in the usual manner in a suitable housing 3, and

as the construction so far iilcscribed lorms no part of the present invention, it is not thought necessary to describe the same in more detail.

)as already explained.` in the methods heretofore used, the breaking` or crushing action takes -place only at the point of contact between the two break-rolls, and for that reason it was necessary to pass the whea successively between a series of corrugated rolls for gradually reducing the wheat to middlings which are then separated froni the bran and whatever line Hour that was formed, and the middlings finally reduced to flour. In the presentconstruction the working surfaces acting on the wheat berry and crushing the saine greatly incrca; d thereby eliminating the necessity for a series of rollers for gradiially breaking up the wheat berry in order to get the desired quality and quantity of leur.

In carrying ont my idea I provide a main beam I0, which is adjnstahly secured 'to the housii'igv 3 by means of the vertically disposed rods Il, the upper ends ot which are adapted to support the main beam l() in operative relation with respect to the rolls l and 2.

The rods l1 are supported in suitable brackets 12 which brackets are in turn secured Vto the housing 3 by means of the bolts 13 and nuts 11i, said bolts extending through vertically disposed elongated slots 15 provided in the brackets, whereby the said brackets 12 may be adj iistable vertically on the housing 3. The main beam l0 is disposed in the position shown in Figure 2 with respect to the break rolls and by adjusting the brackets 12 on the housing the distance or clearance between said main beam and the break-rolls may be fixed to any desired amount.

On the beam is secured, in any suitable manner such for example as by the countersunk screws 16 or the like, a suitable steel screen 17, said screen being disposed in position to receive thereon the product coming from the rolls 1 and 2, the ends of said screen being held in place on the main beam by the screws 16.

- rlhe screen 17 may be constructed in any desirable form, but in the embodiment illustrated, the same is provided with inclined, ribbed portions or teeth 18, spaced from each other and having openings 19 provided in said spaces between the teeth for permitting the passage therethrough of the product. As already explained, the screen is supported at its ends only, and has the major longitudinal portion thereof intermediate its ends disposed so as to permit the passage therethrough of the product to a suitable hopper or container. ,l

To further increase the working surfaces 1 provide the segments 20, therel being one of said segments disposed adjacent the lower portion of each roller. Each of the segments 20 is provided with a working surface similar to that shown in Figure 4 and similar to the working surface of the screen 17, said segments having the inclined ribbed portions or teeth 18 spaced from each other, and the spaces between said teeth being provided with the openings 19. The teeth or ribbed portions 18 on the screen 17 and its adjacent segment are inclined in opposite directions to cause a more thorough crushing and breaking up of toe wheat berries. The workingsurface of the segment 2O forms substantially a continuation ofthe screen 17 thus providing a relatively wide surface disposed adjacent the break-roll 'and adapted for cooperation therewith in its action on the products falling thereon from the break rolls 1 and 2.

ils shown in the drawings, the teeth or ribbed portions 18 are beveled at their upper edges to form the relatively sharp cutting edges 2l, which are adapted to cooperate with the spiral corrugations of the break rolls to more effectively break up and crush the wheat berries. The rotation of the rolls in their proper direction will carry the product along the working surfaces of the screen and segments causingi a breaking-up and crushing of the same, the openings 19 provided in said screen and segments permitting the passage therethrough of the middlings formed from said crushing operation. The bran hulls which are considerably tougher and for that reason will not be so readily broken up and crushed, will be carried along by the rotary movement of the rolls to a point adjacent the end of the segment where'it will strike against the guides 22 and will be directed by said guides into a suitable hopper or container provided for receiving the same.

The said guides 22 may be adjustably held in place adjacent the free end of the segments by means of the screws 23 or in some other suitable manner.

Suitably shaped frames 24 are provided for securely holding in operative position the segments 20, said frames being pivotally secured adjacent their inner ends by means of the pivots 25, said pivots being secured to the main beam 10. Screws 26 ar-e threaded into the free ends of the said frames 24 for securely locking said segments 20 in place on the frames thereby permitting the ready removal of said segments for repair or replacement.

1n order to move the frames 24 with their respective segments about their pivots 25, the following means may be provided: The frames have formed intermediate their ends, integral bosses or ears 27, to which is pivotally secured, as at 2S, one end of an inclined rod 29, the other end of which is threaded and extends through a suitable opening provided there-for in the ends of a substantially T-shaped casting 30, the free ends of said rods 29 receiving thereon in threaded relation, the nuts 31. The rods 29 have provided thereon and surrounding the same, a suitable coil spring` 32, the ends of said spring bearing against the upper surface of the T-shaped casting 30, and a suitable washer 33 respectively. 1t will thus be not-cd that not only is the frame yieldably supported with respect to its corresponding break roll, but also that the clearance between said segment and its corresponding break-roll may be readily varied by merely adjusting the nut 31 on the end of the rod 29.

ln a similar manner, the ends of the main beam 10 are adjustably and yieldably supported on its supporting rods 11, which rods are threaded ,at the lower ends, on which ends are received in threaded relation the nuts 34. A coil spring is provided for each rod 11, said spring surrounding the upper portion of the rod and has its ends bearing against the un ler-surface of the main beam '1D and the bracket 12 respectively. By adjusting the nuts Sfl the clearance between the rolls 1 and 2 and the screen 17 may be varied to the desircd amount. Also, it will be noted that this clears ce may be further adjusted by reason of the vertically disposed elongated slot 15 provided in the brackets 12 secured to the housing 3.

A still further adjustment is provided by the loi jitudinally disposed rods 3G. one end of saidbds being secured to its corresponding rod 11 and the other ends being secured in a fasting or union 37. said union having a cent al opening through which is adapted to entend the stem portion 38 of the T-shaped said stein heineY threaded on its l adapted to receive in threadiereon the hand wheel 159. Av

siningv if() is provided on said surronnrhne,"

im against the T-shaped casting` casting 30 lower einr ne ,fr ir i the rolls l and 2, said ut their respective pivlldz By provininff the springs the :nain bea is() well as with their respective scenic-nts, are substantially yieldabiy supported with respect to the 1 and f2, the; )bv permit-tiner the device rols r to .five or field in c Y ot an overloadineor 3Q, and eid, il 'trames 2:

the presence of any foreign substance between the rolls and segments, avoidingv the dangjer oi the device or z ny part thereof beine' broken or otherwise damaged because oi such excess iliressnre or verloadine.

It will thus be noted that have provided a n improved n'lillif, apparatus which inay be readilv attached ii place to be used in cooperation with the, usual break-rolls without inmlityine` or in any way altering' the con struction ot said brealrolls. It will also be noted that in v improved attachment will give a 'eiatively laige .vorliing` surface over which e product niust pass. and which working' i th surface i'i l cooperate with the break-rolls torr'li'ectivelv aetine on said product. It will` further be noted that I have provided several means of adjustment whereby each ot the segments may be adjusted independently with respect to its corresponding' breakroll. as well as pernil 'ting the adjustment ot both oi said segments a sinre'le unit bv the actuation ot the hand wheel 39. i

Means have also boei provided tor perinittinp; the ready reniovai of the segments, as well as the brealorolls, tor the purpose'oi'.1 repairing` or replacing' the saine, said means compi on' a niiniinuin ot parts and being adapted to actuate both ot said segments as a single unit.

The device is also adapted for rye xniihng, which, being ten;- n wheat, necessitates the preiinnnary pr )farineoit the rye bei-ri that I do not Iirnit iirvsel'f to the "n shovm and described, any type of screen suitable tor this purpose niay be used with hi Lehly satif-:tzntorv resuits.

It is believed that niy invention, its inode ot constre-tion and operation and inany oi its advan 4.,Qes, ic-uld be readily understood and appreciated 'from the *foregoing without further description, and should also be inani- It to be un:V1

specitic forni oi sc fest that while the preferred embodimentof the invention has been shown and described tor illustrative purposes, the structu 'al details are, nevertheless, capable of wide variation within the purview oi 1ny invention as defined in the appended claims.

IfIavinfL;` described iny invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. In a device of the character described, the conilgiination of a pair oi break-rolls, a substantiaily inverted V-shaped screen dis posed between said break-rolls and immediately below their point of contact, said screen being adapted to cooperate with said breakrolls for increasing thc working surface of said device, and means pivotally supported adjacent each end of' said screen adapted Vtor further increasing;- the working surface of said device, said last mentioned ineans conn prising a segginent having a plu ality of inclined, spaced, ribbed portions and openings provided between said ribbed portions, and adjustable means for supporting said seggnients in operative position with respect to said break-rolls.

2. In a device olf the character described, the combination of a pair ot break-rollsI a substantially inverted V-shaped screen dis posed between said break-rolls and immediately below their point of contact, said screen being adapted to cooperate with said breakrolls for increasingthe working surface of said device, and means pivotally supported adjacent each end of said screen adapted :tor further increasing the working surface of said device, said last mentioned means comprising a segment having,Y a plurality of inclined, spaced, ribbed portions and openings provided between said ribbed portions and adjustable and yieldable means for supporting; said screen as well as said segments in operative position with respect to said ln'eak-rolls.

In witness whereof, I affix inv signature.

PAUL' TUnUoZ. 

